Otti Flags Off 2027 Campaign, Retains Deputy

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Sunday flagged off the Labour Party’s 2027 governorship campaign in Umuahia, announcing the retention of his deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, as his running mate.

The governor also directed that opposition parties should not be prevented from using public facilities in the state for their political activities, provided they obtain the necessary approvals and meet the required conditions.

Otti said his administration, if given another mandate, would use the next four years to deepen development through policies and investment decisions aimed at positioning Abia to take advantage of opportunities in the emerging economic order.

Speaking at the campaign flag-off, the governor recalled the political journey that led to his emergence in 2023, saying his administration remained committed to improving governance and restoring confidence in the state.

Otti said, “At inception twelve years ago, we came to you with a message of hope, a commitment to lead the democratic crusade for the souls of our dear state. We never deterred in our commitment because, like us, you have also borne the shame and frustration of governance failure, institutional collapse, and the misery of living like a conquered population.”

He said Abia needed a new political system that prioritised the welfare and development of residents rather than the interests of political loyalists.

“Abia is ripe for a new political system, one that prioritises the development and welfare of the people over the vainglory of sycophants and unnamed acolytes.

“After the man-made disappointments of 2015 and 2019, this siege was broken in 2023, and in a little over three years, thick clouds of despair have parted, a long nightmare has ended, and the light of renewal, restoration and prosperity has risen over our dear state,” he added.

Reviewing his administration’s performance across different sectors of the state’s economy, Otti said a fresh mandate in the February 6, 2027 governorship election would enable his government to build on its achievements.

“With a fresh mandate in the February 6, 2027, governorship elections, we shall raise the bar even higher and set Abia on the path of irreversible progress through bold leadership, investments in factor assets, and multilevel partnership for prosperity,” he said.

On political activities ahead of the 2027 elections, the governor said his administration would protect the rights of opposition parties to campaign and organise events across the state.

He explained that opposition parties could use public facilities, including the stadium, once they applied and fulfilled the necessary requirements.

“The beauty of democracy is the plurality of options it offers all of us, which is why this administration made it clear that the rascality of years to years will have no place in Abia State anymore.

“I have since given a public directive, and I am repeating it here, that opposition parties should not be restricted from using public facilities, including the stadium, once they apply, obtain the necessary approvals and meet the required frameworks,” Otti said.

He also directed security agencies to arrest anyone attempting to obstruct political groups from carrying out legitimate activities.

Addressing security operatives, the governor said they had no authorisation from him to attack people or prevent political parties from campaigning.

“You do not have my mandate to attack people or to stop people from campaigning.

“You have no such mandate from me. Even then, my advice to all of us is to restrict ourselves to the issues that are relevant to our people, sell your manifesto and leave out unnecessary personal attacks. Do not, however, forget that in Abia, we have gone past the era of campaigning with the payment of salaries and pensions, construction of roads and urban sanitation,” he said.

Otti subsequently announced that Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu would remain his running mate as they seek another four-year term under the Labour Party.

He described the decision as an invitation to residents to support the administration’s efforts to consolidate its achievements over the past 41 months.

“My dear brother and I have presented ourselves as deputy governorship and governorship candidates, respectively, under the umbrella of the Labour Party for three connected reasons. The first, as I have earlier mentioned, is to move the architecture of governance from rescue to consolidation,” he said.

In his remarks, the Labour Party state chairman, Peter Azubuike, expressed confidence in the party’s electoral prospects, saying it was determined to win all elections in Abia.

“LP is out to win and will clear all elections in Abia. It is LP all the way, as no opposition party is existing in the state,” he said.

Earlier, during the church service, the Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Chibuzo Opoko, and Emma Okorie of the Living Word Ministry prayed for the success of the forthcoming governorship election.

Also speaking, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Nenadi Usman, who was represented by the Deputy National Chairman, Nuhu Mohammed, described the event as a carnival that went beyond campaigning to strengthen support for Otti.

He urged Abia residents to support the governor, whom he described as a leader with impeccable integrity.